Head of Trust and Foundations, UK

Background

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 22 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

International Rescue Committee UK (IRC UK)

IRC UK was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. IRC UK comprises approximately 130 staff. Europe is one of the fastest growing regions for the IRC and currently consists of offices in Germany, Belgium, Sweden, the UK and Switzerland.

International Philanthropy & Partnerships (IPP)

As part of the External Relations Unit, the IPP team raises funds from global private foundations; corporate foundations and partnerships (including corporate social responsibility, marketing, sponsorship, employee giving and match giving); and non-U.S.-based high net worth individuals. The IPP team maintains a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships in the U.S. and other markets, primarily in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Latin America, & Africa, and matches funder interests with IRC’s extensive programs globally.

The Purpose of the Role

As Head of Trusts and Foundations, UK you are responsible for developing strategic partnerships with grant-making trusts and foundations based in the UK. As part of the global IPP team, you may also be mobilised to support in the effective identification and development in relations outside the UK, in conjunction with the wider IPP team.

With support from the Senior Director – Global Foundations (until a Director overseeing this role is hired), you will develop and implement the IPP Trusts and Foundations strategy for the UK to achieve ambitious fundraising targets, and ensure an coordinated approach with the Global Foundations strategy to maximise UK and in some cases where applicable, wider Europe-based fundraising opportunities. You also play a key leadership role on the IPP Global Foundations team, as well as on the UK Private Fundraising leadership team.

This role is managed in partnership (MiP) by the Senior Director, Global Foundations, based in New York, and the IRC UK Executive Director, based in London. MiP is a management approach, similar to ‘matrix management’, used by the IRC to ensure roles which have cross-cutting functional and geographical dependencies are supported by, and accountable to, different departments within the organisation.

Scope and Authority

Authority:

This position has responsibility for delivering the UK Trusts & Foundations team’s targets (FY21: £3.8 million) within the overarching Global Foundations & Trusts strategy as agreed with the Senior Director, Global Foundations and Trusts.

Responsibility for Resources:

This position manages one Trust & Foundations Manager and one Trust & Foundations Executive.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

 Works in close coordination with UK Private Fundraising team leaders, including Philanthropy, Corporate and Mass Markets.

Key contacts:

• IPP department staff and leadership (global)
• Global Foundations & Trusts team staff and leadership (global)
• IRC UK Management Team (UK)
• IRC Regional Programme and Country Programme staff (global)
• Other IRC departments: Policy & Advocacy; Communications; Finance; Awards Management Unit; Crisis Response, Recovery and Development programmes and Technical Unit staff (global)
• President’s Office (US)

External

 Management of external Trust and Foundations contacts

Key Accountabilities 

Strategic Planning and Leadership (40%)

•  Together with the Senior Director - Global Foundations, deliver sector-leading fundraising from UK- and where requested wider Europe-based Trusts and Foundations, collaborating with the global IPP team.
• Lead the development and implementation of a UK Trust and Foundations fundraising strategy prioritising new business development and net income growth and aligning with the wider Global Foundations and IPP fundraising strategies.
• Contribute to the budgeting, planning and objective setting processes, ensuring that Trusts & Foundations income stream targets and work plans are established and communicated in a consultative manner, with all investment opportunities and risks identified and assessed.
• Participate as an active member of the Global Foundations and UK Private Fundraising leadership teams, including providing reporting and forecasting, alongside active participation in leadership forums.
• Lead on the delivery of exceptional cross-team cultivation events.
• Act as a representative of the wider fundraising team at internal meetings when needed.

Income Generation (40%)

•  Lead on identifying and building strategic partnerships with Trusts & Foundations based in the UK and when applicable non-UK partnerships, including by developing high-impact relationships with senior stakeholders including foundation Board members and leadership, working closely with IRC trustees, senior staff, technical and programme staff.
• Maintain an excellent knowledge and understanding of the IRC’s programmes to ensure the development and delivery of high-quality concept notes and applications, aligning with IRC strategic priorities and donor requirements.
• Work closely with staff across the organisation to lead the management of proposal and report development processes and ensure that proposals to funders and donor reporting are delivered in a timely and effective manner, including narrative, financial and supporting information.
• Review and ensure compliance with donor agreements and contracts.
• Provide high quality advice on matters relating to Trust and Foundation fundraising by maintaining an informed understanding of sector best practice.
• Maintain and increase effective use of Salesforce for data capture and donor analysis.
• Work with colleagues across the global IPP team to ensure that appropriate peer-to-peer relationships inform and add value to Trust and Foundation approaches.
• Ensure Trust and Foundation grant opportunities are recorded on the IRC’s grants management system (OTIS) and go through internal approval procedures.

Team Support and Development (20%)

•  Line manage two Trusts & Foundations team members, ensuring that they have the support to maximize the potential of their role and deliver against ambitious targets.
• Build excellent relationships with colleagues across the organisation, including Policy & Advocacy; Communications; Finance; Awards Management Unit; and Crisis Response, Recovery and Development programmes and Technical Unit staff, as well as senior stakeholders (President’s Office; IRC UK Management Team and Board members)